By TIOL News Service

NEW DELHI, NOVE 28, 2020: INDIA will establish around 900 compressed biogas (CBG) plants as the country moves towards reducing its dependence on fossil fuels in line with its commitments in COP 21, said Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Mr Dharmendra Pradhan on Friday.

Mr Pradhan laid the foundation stone for the Leafniti Bioenergy's CBG plant in Bagalkot district of Karnataka, through a video conference. The plant will utilize 200 TPD of press mud and will be commissioned at the estimated cost of about Rs. 42 crores. This will generate about 10.2 TPD of CBG and also bio-manure. Praj Industries and DVO Inc. have provided the technology for the proposed plant.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Pradhan said that the government is working to provide cleaner and sustainable energy. "India is not a polluting country, but still Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi as a responsible global leader has underlined India's commitment to sustainability and climate change mitigation. How can we achieve cleaner path in each activity, is what we are striving for, " he said.

The Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation (SATAT) was launched in 2018 as part of Mr Modi's vision to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and have an alternative source of clean fuel for transport. Over the last two years, it has grown into one of the flagship programs of the ministry.

"Using agricultural and municipal wastes to produce gas under SATAT will reduce carbon emission and also fulfil the government's commitment in COP-21. It is also in line with the Swachh Bharat Mission of the government," the minister said.

Mr Pradhan also urged young entrepreneurs to invest in the initiative. CBG plants are being offered various governmental supports such as floor price guarantee of CBG produced for 10 years, the inclusion of CBG in priority sector lending by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), subsidy scheme and support by various state government with respect to allotment of land have set the congenial ecosystem.

“It is now it's the turn of entrepreneurs and corporates to invest in the initiative for greater socio-economic returns," he added.

Speaking about the farmers at the event, he said that the projects under SATAT are also meant to enhance the farmer's income by making the agricultural residues remunerative.